What a wonderful way to start this morning - having just returned from a week in Paris - your narrative is so evocative. Finding places to eat in Paris (also NON-fancy) was so easy - cafes are everywhere, the food and produce is a delight and one is never rushed by the wait staff. I think the experience of adventure and discovery is what makes a trip like yours uplifting and relaxing. Focusing on beauty and one's senses and feeling freed of ------ the unmentionable! Keep them coming.
My favorite place I had never heard of until a trip to the south of Spain is Ronda--a town built high on a mountain with extraordinary cliffs on either side of a river--incredible views!
Gelato! My older daughter and her husband recently traveled to Italy and gelato every day was a must! She made a picture collage of all the gelato they had! It is fantastic and so yummy!
Thank you, Jen, for letting us travel with you! ❤️
I live in Germany, and I am not so sure about the tipping advice. My daughter waitressed at a representative upscale chain restaurant. The restaurant kept the service charge. At least in Germany this seems to be generally true. She, as a summer temp, got about 10 Euros an hour, but even the permanent staff was only getting around 13 or 14. The staff split the tips. I therefore tip well. 10% is welcome. Above 15% is not customary and is too much.
This is great. I travel the way you describe, and I’m planning to take a trip to Valencia in the fall. The one area I always feel confused about is how much to tip a guide. Does one think of it in American (NY) terms or based on the local standard of living? Or just as a percentage of the fee?
I usually go for somewhere in between what I would tip in the US - and then perhaps lessen it a bit. For guides - I would do the same as US. As my Aunt Esme used to say, 'I t won't make them rich and won't make us poor.'
If you like Moroccan food, I recommend Restaurante Alumnia, it's an easy walk from the Ayuntamiento (City Hall). We've been in Valencia for two weeks in 2023 and 2024 and really like this restaurant. Bus transportation is good, and lovely beaches on the Mediterranean are about a half hour or less bus trip from the plaza by the Ayuntamiento. There's an information center next to the City Hall where you can get maps and other information. Have a great time!
Valencia in the fall -- great choice! The city offers a wealth of historical and cultural places and events, lots of Joaquín Sorolla paintings, excellent public transportation, beaches both in the city and within a half-hour's train ride, many other interesting side trips, and of course paella and zillions of pleasant cafés, pubs, bars, and restaurants.
Legend has it that paella was "invented" in Valencia. Could be, I s'pose; doesn't matter when you're enjoying a huge pan of rice and seafood with a group of friends. Be sure to try the paella de arroz negro!
Hello from Kamakura, Japan! It’s a little different here — breakfast is remarkably light and places close earlier than I’m used to. Even in Tokyo, we had trouble finding places open after 10:00.
The one exception might be when we were in Shinjuku on a weekend — seems to be a larger university and salaryman (post-EOD libations) crowd.
Can’t speak to guides. I’m sure they’re great but I’m married to a Planner so we’ve never used one. We also love incorporating walks so we’ve been managing through those.
Finally, while beds are usually the tie breaker in hotel rooms, I have to say: consider prioritizing the bathrooms in Japan. They are … incredible … if you get a proper wet room with a Toto toilet.
We often visit a busy site at night. In Rome we visited Trevi Fountain at night when staying near the Spanish Steps. Crowded but could at least take a photo without people hanging over the water. We also ran into friends there! The best gelato-Mykonos by far. And we have been all over Italy.
I also agree on large breakfasts.
Interesting that you brought up tipping. Been hearing a lot from those on the Continent during our travels that they refuse to tip Americans. This was last year. They felt they should be paid enough not to need tips. Changed our attitude towards tipping in Europe and also tipping everyone here in the States. The other day went to a self service restaurant and they wanted a tip. US businesses going too far.
Thanks so much for your tips! Are food allergens listed on individual items/entrees or do you have to ask the server? Definitely no shortage of activities! Enjoy your time and be safe!
Allergens are not necessarily listed on the menu, and it's possible the server might not know everything that is in the food. I recommend checking menus online to see if you can find dishes that avoid the allergen. Also Rick Steves has some great little books that are like dictionaries and which list food names in English and Spanish (or Italian or French, etc.) so you can ask the server the correct name of a food you want to avoid. Good luck!
Thanks Jen! I’m really enjoying your travel tips & insights. Please keep them coming & have a wonderful trip.
Me too.
I've never been to Spain....but I kinda like the music.
Let the gelato consumption begin!
The good chocolate. The amazing wines too...
What a wonderful way to start this morning - having just returned from a week in Paris - your narrative is so evocative. Finding places to eat in Paris (also NON-fancy) was so easy - cafes are everywhere, the food and produce is a delight and one is never rushed by the wait staff. I think the experience of adventure and discovery is what makes a trip like yours uplifting and relaxing. Focusing on beauty and one's senses and feeling freed of ------ the unmentionable! Keep them coming.
My favorite place I had never heard of until a trip to the south of Spain is Ronda--a town built high on a mountain with extraordinary cliffs on either side of a river--incredible views!
Thanks, Jen! Feel like I am traveling along side you while seated right here! Thanks!
Gelato! My older daughter and her husband recently traveled to Italy and gelato every day was a must! She made a picture collage of all the gelato they had! It is fantastic and so yummy!
Thank you, Jen, for letting us travel with you! ❤️
I live in Germany, and I am not so sure about the tipping advice. My daughter waitressed at a representative upscale chain restaurant. The restaurant kept the service charge. At least in Germany this seems to be generally true. She, as a summer temp, got about 10 Euros an hour, but even the permanent staff was only getting around 13 or 14. The staff split the tips. I therefore tip well. 10% is welcome. Above 15% is not customary and is too much.
This is great. I travel the way you describe, and I’m planning to take a trip to Valencia in the fall. The one area I always feel confused about is how much to tip a guide. Does one think of it in American (NY) terms or based on the local standard of living? Or just as a percentage of the fee?
I usually go for somewhere in between what I would tip in the US - and then perhaps lessen it a bit. For guides - I would do the same as US. As my Aunt Esme used to say, 'I t won't make them rich and won't make us poor.'
I'm with Aunt Esme. I figure, I am eating out, and they are working at a low paying job.
If you like Moroccan food, I recommend Restaurante Alumnia, it's an easy walk from the Ayuntamiento (City Hall). We've been in Valencia for two weeks in 2023 and 2024 and really like this restaurant. Bus transportation is good, and lovely beaches on the Mediterranean are about a half hour or less bus trip from the plaza by the Ayuntamiento. There's an information center next to the City Hall where you can get maps and other information. Have a great time!
I’m planning on going to Morocco from Valencia.
Valencia in the fall -- great choice! The city offers a wealth of historical and cultural places and events, lots of Joaquín Sorolla paintings, excellent public transportation, beaches both in the city and within a half-hour's train ride, many other interesting side trips, and of course paella and zillions of pleasant cafés, pubs, bars, and restaurants.
Legend has it that paella was "invented" in Valencia. Could be, I s'pose; doesn't matter when you're enjoying a huge pan of rice and seafood with a group of friends. Be sure to try the paella de arroz negro!
We love to walk and explore cities in the US and Europe.
Hello from Kamakura, Japan! It’s a little different here — breakfast is remarkably light and places close earlier than I’m used to. Even in Tokyo, we had trouble finding places open after 10:00.
The one exception might be when we were in Shinjuku on a weekend — seems to be a larger university and salaryman (post-EOD libations) crowd.
Can’t speak to guides. I’m sure they’re great but I’m married to a Planner so we’ve never used one. We also love incorporating walks so we’ve been managing through those.
Finally, while beds are usually the tie breaker in hotel rooms, I have to say: consider prioritizing the bathrooms in Japan. They are … incredible … if you get a proper wet room with a Toto toilet.
Enjoy yourself Jen!
We often visit a busy site at night. In Rome we visited Trevi Fountain at night when staying near the Spanish Steps. Crowded but could at least take a photo without people hanging over the water. We also ran into friends there! The best gelato-Mykonos by far. And we have been all over Italy.
I also agree on large breakfasts.
Interesting that you brought up tipping. Been hearing a lot from those on the Continent during our travels that they refuse to tip Americans. This was last year. They felt they should be paid enough not to need tips. Changed our attitude towards tipping in Europe and also tipping everyone here in the States. The other day went to a self service restaurant and they wanted a tip. US businesses going too far.
On the other hand - in the US - pay for servers in restaurants are very very low - and they depend on tipping to make a living.
Yes Derek, that is the problem!
Thanks so much for your tips! Are food allergens listed on individual items/entrees or do you have to ask the server? Definitely no shortage of activities! Enjoy your time and be safe!
Allergens are not necessarily listed on the menu, and it's possible the server might not know everything that is in the food. I recommend checking menus online to see if you can find dishes that avoid the allergen. Also Rick Steves has some great little books that are like dictionaries and which list food names in English and Spanish (or Italian or French, etc.) so you can ask the server the correct name of a food you want to avoid. Good luck!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Sounds like you may have enough material for a travel guide soon!
I like VoiceMaps to find local guides and tips!